Best cruise line that focuses on history?

[dardan]

My husband and I want to do a Mediterranean cruise and are trying to find one that includes speakers on the ship on the history of the places we will visit. Has anyone been on any of the lines that have provided that?

 

I did a Viking river cruise and loved that feature.

Thanks for any tips.

[CintiPam]

We took our first-ever cruise a year ago on Oceania's Nautica, 12 nights, Istanbul to Athens, and the ship had an British professor on board who gave three history lectures: one on Ephesus (before our Kusadasi port day), one on Olympis (before our Katakalon port day) on one on the Classical Age of Athens, before we overnighted and disembarked in Athens. She was fantastic, and they were replayed on the TV for those who wanted to hear them (such as my spouse who slept in and missed one.)

 

On our second Nautica cruise in June, we had an American professor who also gave three lectures on board: one on the history of Malta (particularly WWII) before our port day there, and one each on Greece and Italy. (We did not attend the latter two, but the Malta one was excellent.) We ran into the speaker at the Cathedral bookstore buying more Malta history books!

 

Because these are the only two cruises we ever have taken, I do not know how common this is. My spouse, Mr. Military History, said both enrichment lecturers were very knowledgable.

[dardan]

That is exactly what I wanted. After doing Alaska with a naturalist on board, talking about the geography and topography of the area, I wanted to do Europe with some history background.

 

I will look into Oceania.

[cruisemom42]

Sadly, I don't think this is very common on the mainstream cruise lines. Certainly not on Princess and, according to the rest of my family, not on RCCL or Celebrity and only occasionally on HAL.

 

However, I do find that researching and reading about the history of the places I'm going helps me gain a greater appreciation of the port and "hit the ground running" in the short amount of time I have to spend there. It also helps the time go faster when you're looking forward to your next cruise. :D

 

I've got quite a reading list for various ports, if you are interested in some suggestions that range from historical novels to well-written biographies to (admittedly heavier) nonfiction historical books on various ancient civilizations.

 

P.S. Cruiselines, if you're listening, I'd be happy to be a guest lecturer on ancient Roman history throughout the Mediterranean in exchange for a free cruise....:D:D)

[CintiPam]

P.S. Cruiselines, if you're listening, I'd be happy to be a guest lecturer on ancient Roman history throughout the Mediterranean in exchange for a free cruise....:D:D)

 

And I would take that cruise because you indeed are very knowledgeable!:)

[maryann ns]

I have read that Azamara also has lectures about upcoming ports. I'll know more soon!

[tom_uk]

There are two very small, specialist cruise lines that do exactly this: Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic. Both UK-based, both using older and much smaller ships, but having serious guest speakers with genuine expertise in fields relevant to the itinerary.

 

Their websites include lists of guest speakers, so you get a flavour of what they do.

[TLCOhio]

We took our first-ever cruise a year ago on Oceania's Nautica, 12 nights, Istanbul to Athens, and the ship had an British professor on board who gave three history lectures: one on Ephesus (before our Kusadasi port day), one on Olympis (before our Katakalon port day) on one on the Classical Age of Athens, before we overnighted and disembarked in Athens. She was fantastic, and they were replayed on the TV for those who wanted to hear them (such as my spouse who slept in and missed one.) On our second Nautica cruise in June, we had an American professor who also gave three lectures on board: one on the history of Malta (particularly WWII) before our port day there, and one each on Greece and Italy. (We did not attend the latter two, but the Malta one was excellent.) We ran into the speaker at the Cathedral bookstore buying more Malta history books! Because these are the only two cruises we ever have taken, I do not know how common this is. My spouse, Mr. Military History, said both enrichment lecturers were very knowledgable.

 

Agree with my nearby neighbor from SW Ohio. These types of programs do help get you prepared for what you will be seeing and experiencing during your port visits. We've only done two cruises, one on Seabourn for the Greek Isles and Turkish Coast and the other on Crystal for the Baltics and Russia. They had people on board to help prepare you for what you would see and do. It makes a big, positive difference. Generally your more upscale and/or specialized cruise lines offer this type of "extra" that helps much. On Crystal, they would re-broadcast that lecture later in the day. Many of the "mass" cruise lines are not as interested in these types of "enrichment" programs.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[sunsetbeachgal]

Yes, the larger cruise lines focus their on board lectures about shopping or the sale of shore excursions. I am one of those who also wish history was a part of the lectures! Years ago we sailed on Royal Cruise Line (not to be confused with Royal Caribbean), which is now no longer, and they always had great port lecturers.

[Morgans]

Swan Hellenic - very experienced and in depth lectures, quite academic. They concentrate on the history of Europe and also geographical and wildlife aspects of the ports of call.

 

"Swan Hellenic’s long established and renowned guest speaker programme illuminates days at sea while open seating dining means you can ponder ancient mysteries and contemporary issues with like-minded travellers as well as your fellow guest speakers."

 

This is a quote from their website which is well worth looking at -www.swanhellenic.com

[cruisemom42]

This has been a very informative thread. I'll definitely check out Swan Hellenic. Sounds like my cup of tea!

[franu]

There is a new company which will do it's inaugural sailing in May 2010 which may be what you are looking for. The ship is quite small but will allow you to get into ports which larger ships can not.

 

I have a reservation on this sailing. Perhaps by reading their online brochure, you will get a better picture than I could paint.

 

www.voyagestoantiquity.com

 

Fran

[whale-watcher]

My husband and I want to do a Mediterranean cruise and are trying to find one that includes speakers on the ship on the history of the places we will visit. Has anyone been on any of the lines that have provided that?

 

I did a Viking river cruise and loved that feature.

Thanks for any tips.

 

We just completed an excellent cruise on the Royal Princess (holy land Athens to Rome) and we DID have an onboard lecturer who focused on the history of the region. He was very thorough and the lectures were also broadcast 24/7 on the onboard TV, plus he was available for questions. Perhaps this is a unique feature of this itinerary or the smaller princess ships?

 

The Royal is a great little ship that offers many of the benefits of the smaller cruise lines at a much lower price. The itinerary would be hard to beat interms of historic significance...including Ephesus, Patmos, Israel, Egypt, santorini,and Pompeii, as well Athens and Rome (where we were able to spend extra time seeing the many wonderful sights).

[TLCOhio]

There is a new company which will do it's inaugural sailing in May 2010 which may be what you are looking for. The ship is quite small but will allow you to get into ports which larger ships can not. I have a reservation on this sailing. Perhaps by reading their online brochure, you will get a better picture than I could paint.

www.voyagestoantiquity.com

Fran

 

Agree with Cynthia that this has been an informative thread. Good info and thoughts. One caution on some, but not all, of the newer and/or smaller ships. In these challenging economic times, you want to get a sense of the financial stability of that line/ship and how well "UPDATED" is that ship. There are lots of "older" ship floating around and some of the new "start-ups" will make it. Some won't! Just plan and prepare accordingly as to what you will be getting, its quality and financial stability to deliver what's promised.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[cruisemom42]

We just completed an excellent cruise on the Royal Princess (holy land Athens to Rome) and we DID have an onboard lecturer who focused on the history of the region. He was very thorough and the lectures were also broadcast 24/7 on the onboard TV, plus he was available for questions. Perhaps this is a unique feature of this itinerary or the smaller princess ships?

 

The Royal is a great little ship that offers many of the benefits of the smaller cruise lines at a much lower price. The itinerary would be hard to beat interms of historic significance...including Ephesus, Patmos, Israel, Egypt, santorini,and Pompeii, as well Athens and Rome (where we were able to spend extra time seeing the many wonderful sights).

 

That's good to know. I'm still thinking about doing that Princess Holy Lands itinerary. (Not sure if you remember, but we were on the roll call for that cruise a couple of years ago and I think we both canceled for various reasons....)

 

They certainly didn't have any kind of lecturer on our Grand-class-sized Princess cruise of Egypt and the Aegean.

[ConnMom]

On our Med cruise in 2005, Celebrity provided a lecture series - three lectures, I think, by an American college professor - that focused on the history and art of some of the ports we visited. I don't know if this is still offered on Celebrity ships, but I found it very valuable.

[whale-watcher]

That's good to know. I'm still thinking about doing that Princess Holy Lands itinerary. (Not sure if you remember, but we were on the roll call for that cruise a couple of years ago and I think we both canceled for various reasons....)

 

They certainly didn't have any kind of lecturer on our Grand-class-sized Princess cruise of Egypt and the Aegean.

I do remember...

we ended up going to Alaska instead (we were cruising with my elderly mom, and did not think she would tolerate the extreme heat and physically demanding tour schedule of the Holy Land itinerary in summer).

 

We ended up rescheduling our Holy Land cruise for November of this year (partly based on your enthusiastic postings on this board) and were also blessed with perfect touring weather and very light crowds and most destinations. We have absolutely fallen in love with the Mediterranean and hope to return again in 2011 :)

[cruisemom42]

I do remember...

we ended up going to Alaska instead (we were cruising with my elderly mom, and did not think she would tolerate the extreme heat and physically demanding tour schedule of the Holy Land itinerary in summer).

 

We ended up rescheduling our Holy Land cruise for November of this year (partly based on your enthusiastic postings on this board) and were also blessed with perfect touring weather and very light crowds and most destinations. We have absolutely fallen in love with the Mediterranean and hope to return again in 2011 :)

 

How wonderful! Sounds like you had a great trip and I'm glad the weather cooperated. You just can't beat the Med (as a history lover)!

[Mike_98]

I did a 12? night cruise in the Med in 2007 on Royal Caribbean (Splendour of the Seas, I think). There was a Canadian history professor on board who gave very entertaining lectures on the ancient history of the Mediterranean and the ports we were going to visit on the following day. I am very glad I attended all the lectures.

 

Mike